Rotary valve cam engine

Abstract

A rotary valve cam engine of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,456,630 and No. 4,610,223, where the bearing area to take the rotational forces of the cams and the thrust forces of the pistons are improved. Also an improved means of sealing the compression and power strokes of the pistons without inducing friction forces against the rotary valve. Also an improved cam structure which shortens the length of the engine.

I claim: 
     
       1. A rotary valve cam engine comprising: two connecting plates, each reciprocating along a longitudinal axis of the engine and respectively located on opposite ends thereof, a central output shaft extending along said longitudinal axis,   each connecting plate having secured thereto a plurality of guide rod bushings, piston assemblies and cam followers,   an engine body having cylinders, said engine body having a plurality of guide rods mounted at one end thereon, said cylinders and guide rods extending parallel to said central output shaft,   said rotary valve being a disc valve coaxial with and driven by the output shaft, said disc valve closing an upper portion of said cylinders,   means for sealing each respective cylinder upper portion with said disc valve responsive to cylinder pressure increase to prevent cylinder pressure leakage therebetween, and,   two cylindrical cams, each respectively coaxially mounted on said output shaft and being engaged by said respective cam followers on said respective connecting plates, each said cylindrical cam having two different lobe faces, said lobe faces each imparting equal piston strokes.   
     
     
       2. The rotary valve cam engine of claim 1, wherein the guide rod bushing are of such length that each has an end which longitudinally extends beyond the cam followers. 
     
     
       3. The rotary valve cam engine of claim 1, wherein each said guide rod bushing is mounted to the connecting plate with a self aligning connection. 
     
     
       4. The rotary valve cam engine of claim 1, wherein the guide rods have suitable bearing surfaces that interface with the guide rod bushings. 
     
     
       5. The rotary valve cam engine of claim 1, wherein the guide rods have sufficient length and strength to mount such to end plates at ends opposite said one end. 
     
     
       6. The rotary valve cam engine of claim 1, wherein the sealing means consists of multiple elements positioned to reduce valve clearance.